LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
(Correspondents are requested to keep their letters as brie] as is reasonably possible. The most suitable length is that of one of our " News of the Week " paragraphs. Signed letters are given a preference over those bearing a pseudonym, and the latter must be accompanied by the name and address of the author, which will be treated as confidential.—Ed. THE SPEcrAtost.1
CHAMBERLAIN OR EDEN ?
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] S1R,—As a supporter of The Spectator for many years, I am compelled to protest against the tone and argument of your article entitled " Chamberlain or Eden ? " in your issue of February 25th, which to my mind is lacking in the fairness and perspicuity generally associated with your columns.
In the first place you argue that, because presumably Mr. Eden's views as to the minor as against the major question of the Italian position correspond with your own, the outlook of the other 19 Members of the Cabinet as well as the unanimous support of the Conservative Party, and the great majority of the House of Commons, may only be " a presumption," and although there may be full agreement that there must be " contact and discussion " this can only take place after certain punctilios have been observed.
Having just spent some time in South Eastern Europe, it has been interesting to see the question from " the other man's " point of view, and in consequence gain some insight into the real position of affairs on the Continent. To those not hide- bound by their own opinions, it is quite clear that it is not so much a question of coming to an agreement with Italy, however desirable that may be as regards our Mediterranean interests, as with a State of much greater importance, i.e., Germany ; and there was only one ending to the road we were so diffi- dently travelling with our mid-Victorian ideas of foreign policy, and that was war, within a comparatively short space of time.
Let us hope after the conversations with Italy have come to a successful conclusion, these with Germany will naturally follow (including the much advertised Colonial question), which would automatically give us a real " four Power " friendship. By then we will be in a definitely stronger position to state our requirements for a lasting and just peace, having recovered our sanity and security, of which we were deprived for so many years by the very people who now want us to go to war with every nation which happens to have a different form of Government from their own !
The key to the riddle of the complete failure of the League of Nations to provide security for anyone, individually or collectively, has been its failure to treat certain of the central European Powers with the elements of justice. I for one think that no one has ever done his country greater service than exposing the fumbling ineptitude and consequent menace to peace existing at Geneva, as evidenced by the fact of the martyr- dom of such countries as Abyssinia, China, Spain, &c.
Mr. Chamberlain, the realist, " has deserved well of his country " in unmasking this hypocrisy and has at last led this great nation into the path of understanding and lasting peace ; let us see to it that he has the sympathy and support of everyone who has the honour, as well as the interest, of his country
at heart.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully, ROBT. PURDIE. Ardcarrick, Ayr.
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